School Counselor Connection
Tips for Success Vol 8, April 2021
Focus: Mental Health
California Student Mental Health Week (CSMHW)
The Second Week in May (May 10-14, 2021) is California Student Mental Health Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness of PreK-12th grade students' mental health needs. During this week, many groups across the state are encouraged to share campaign resources aimed at bringing attention to factors related to mental health and to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
CASC is the sponsoring organization for a legislative action to commemorate this week. Over the next few weeks, they will be sharing information on events, links to free professional development webinars, and a CASC-created Mental Health Week Toolkit. Visit CASC Website for information and links to resources in the next few days and weeks!
CSMHW Goals
- Organizations and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to proclaim the second week in May (May 10-14, 2001) as California Student Mental Health Week by adopting a proclamation declaring support for California Student Mental Health.
- LEAs and other agencies to introduce a narrative around mental health that is student centered.
- LEAs and community organizations utilize CASC Toolkit of activities that includes informational displays, social media posts and sample lessons on mental health facts and issues.
- LEAs to educate parents and school staff on key psychological factors associated with mental distress and where to seek help.
Mental Health Toolkits
Each Mind Matters (Students)
Mental Health America (Adults)
OC Student Mental Health (Students)
Shifting our Mindset About Mental Health
Let's talk about mental health...
TYPES OF RESOURCES: Infographic π PDF π Video β― Website π»
Visual: Mental Health Continuum π
Read:
- What is mental illness? (A sciency article) π
- Mental Illness, Recovery, And The Science Behind It π
- Risk and Protective Factors of Mental Health π»
- Risk & Protective Factors for Mental, Emotional, & Behavioral Disorders in Adolescences π»
- Time to ditch βtoxic positivity,β experts say: βItβs okay not to be okayβ π»
How can SEL skills help foster mental health?
Listen:
- The Importance of Emotional Intelligence β―(16:42)
- Introduction to SEL, Mental Health & Trauma β― (4:09)
Healing and Building Resilience...
This past year presented so many different challenges and obstacles that tested our strength and resiliency. The global pandemic forced us to cope with situations we never even imagined, and a lot of us struggled with our mental health as a result. Now, more than ever, we need to combat the stigma surrounding mental health concerns.
Before we can effectively attend to our students' mental health needs, we need to ensure we take care of our own mental health needs!
Read:
- Teacher, Interrupted: Leaning into Social-Emotional Learning Amid the COVID-19 Crisis π»
Care for the Caregiver: Guidelines for Administrators and Crisis Teams π
Stress Management: How to Reduce, prevent, and Cope with Stress π
Being Our Best Self During Challenging Times by Dr. Marc Brackett π
Visual:
- Self-Care Wheel π
Listen:
Self Care for Educators Video β― (17:19) (resources & slide deck here)
Fostering emotion co-regulation β― (3:04)
The Three Components of Self-Compassion β― (6:18)
Building a Culture of Care β― (2:26)
Take Action:
- Reflecting on personal SEL skills π»
Create your Self-Care/ Individualized Energy Plan (IEP) π
Ten Tools To Do to foster Mental Health by Mental Health America π»
Mindfulness Resources: π β―
- What is mindfulness and its benefits? (Empirically supported benefits of mindfulness: reduced rumination, stress reduction, boosts to working memory, focus, less emotional reactivity, more cognitive flexibility, relationship satisfaction.)
- Create for Education: Mindfulness Audios
- UCLA Guided Mediations
- Mindfulness Toolkit
- CHOC Mindful Breathing
Supporting Student Mental Health
The Role of the School Counselor in Student Mental Health
ASCA Position Statement: School Counselor Role and Student Mental Health
Universal Supports: Awareness, Education and Prevention
Engage your students and families through:
- School Counseling Universal Core Curriculum Brainstorming
- Universal Core Curriculum Scope & Sequence Planning Guide
- Universal School Counseling Parent/Family Engagement Core Curriculum
- Universal Individual Student Planning-Decision Making Worksheet
- Universal Schoolwide Programs and Activities
- School Counseling Core Curriculum Action Plan β
Supplemental Supports: Identify and support students who need an additional level through direct service, collaboration, consultation, and/or referral
- Determining Data-Driven Intentiβonal Interventions
- School Counseling Data Metrics for Supplemental/ Tier 2 Queries
- Examples of Supplemental and Intensified Data Elements by Domain
- School Counselor Program: Menu of Services
Intensified Supports: Support few students who need additional level of individualized focus to manage their mental health needs through close monitoring, collaboration, and referral
The following images are hyperlinked, and provide you with guidance on how the school counselor's effort and approach can be aligned to support students throughout the continuum.
Engaging Students and Fostering a Sense of Belonging Culture
As you begin to plan your programs, keep in mind how might you include activities that help foster student sense of belonging, build relationships, support their social emotional learning skills, and elevate student voice. Below are some resources to help you get there!
Read:
- New Report Calls On Leaders To Improve Youth Mental Health Services By Listening To Young People π»
- Foster a Supportive School Climate π»
- The Pandemic Will Affect Studentsβ Mental Health for Years to Come. How Schools Can Help π»
- CASEL also recommends elevating student voice to support SEL and keep students interested, engaged, and participating. π»
- Report: https://www.search-institute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Insights-Evidence-DRs-DEI.SEL-FINAL.pdf π
This Edutopia article summarizes research and strategies to promote belongingness and engagement in the classroom π
Listen:
- βSchoolwide SEL: Youth Voice and Engagementβ from ThinkTV PBS β― (6:36)
- Youth Action Talks Podcast- Listen to the Youth Action Team's monthly podcast as they share personal experiences, interview professionals, and talk candidly about mental health. π»β―
- Sample of student films addressing topics around mental health (full list of videos) π»β―
- Using The Science of Trust to Build a Sense of Belonging School Culture and Psychological Safety β―
Tools/ Resources:
- Mind Out Loud Student Virtual Event- Sign up for this event! Students get together in a virtual conference to discuss mental health. π
- Students share a message through artistic expression #HopeforChange π»
- Peer Influencer Workshops - get in touch to receive FREE workshops for your students on topics related to mental health!
Resources
Resources for Students & Parents
Help for Students in Crisis Web page This page contains important hotlines, text lines, and resources for students who are having difficulty coping or just want to talk. It is important to communicate these lines are not only for crisis, but they can also be used by anyone who needs to talk, by parents/guardians who are concerned about their children, or anyone who is not sure how about behaviors they are seeing or experiencing. π»
Parent Brochure English: This printable brochure includes questions parents can ask themselves to assess if their teen might be at risk of suicide and actions to take. Tips on raising resilient teens as well as resources are provided. π
- Is your Child's Behavior a Mental Disorder or Just Normal Development? π»
- Recognizing Mental Health Problems in Children π»
CASEL Resources for Parents: An informational video by CASEL and Chicago Public Schools for parents on social and emotional learning (SEL). The video aims to inform parents on SEL in schools and provide them with insights on SEL in their own parenting practices in order to support their childrenβs social and emotional know-how. Funded by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Produced by: First Gear Productions. Also available in Spanish.CASEL (2017). SEL for parents. Chicago Public Schools, McCormick Foundation, Marshall Square Resource Network. π» β―
View the video in English.
View the video in Spanish.
COVID-19/ Virtual Learning Resources:
- New Resource Guide: Positive Parenting in COVID-19 isolation: Find 1 pager infographics with plenty of advise for parents. ππ»
- Common Sense Resources: list of helpful resources π»
Resources to Build your Program
Inform Your Community: π»π
- Cultural Diversity and Mental Health Toolkits: Chapman University developed ready to use toolkits with infographics you can share with your students, staff, and families.
Example of Presentation for Staff on How to Address Student Trauma
Ready to Use Lesson Plans/Material: π
Trails: Curriculum and lesson plans on various mental health topics
CASC COVID-19 Resource page: locate various lesson plans and resources
Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress Course offered by Yale
Additional Resources to Inform your Practice:
- Orange County Youth Town Hall: learn from Orange County students directly about how the pandemic has impacted them. (Recording here β―; Power Point here π)
Orange County, California - Orange County Children's Partnership (OCCP)
Access the 26th Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County which was featured during the Town Hall main session. π
- Mental Health Quality Guide: Screening by National Center for School Mental Health and the University of Maryland School of Medicine- learn all there is to know about screening π»
- Turnaround for Children: Stress and the Brain: read more about how stress impacts a child's brain.π
- RESET Toolbox Western Youth Services (WYS), a Laguna Hills-based nonprofit, developed an online resource for teachers and parents to proactively engage with children to treat the secondary effects of the pandemic that are responsible for childhood trauma β housing and food insecurity, disrupted education and lack of socializing.β WYS rolled out the RESET Toolbox about a year ago and it is available to anyone online. Includes audio training, books, applications and other resources geared toward helping children cope with the emotional hurdles of the pandemic in Orange County. WYS is collaborating with the Childrenβs Hospital of Orange County and the Orange County Department of Education for the RESET Toolbox. The effort is partly funded by CARES Act money. π»
- Resources for Elementary Level Students: Resources to support mental well-being of younger students. π
- ASCA Online Crisis Protocol π»
OCDE Support and Resources
Instructional Continuity Website- find resources to support your students and families during distance learning.
Be Calm Session- guided meditations led by Dr. Vezzuto
Crisis Response Network:
Jennifer Ponce, MSW, CHES, Program Specialist
Family Engagement Program:
Sheree Newman, Program Specialist
Social & Emotional Learning:
Colleen Ferreira, M.Ed., Coordinator
Restorative Practice:
Toby Jean Espley M.Ed., Coordinator
McKinney Vento Homeless Information & Support:
Jeanne Awrey, Coordinator
βStudent Services (CWA/SARB):
Terrance Dunn, M.Ed., Coordinator
Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program:
Raina K Lee, Coordinator
Luz M. Arellano, Ed.D
K-12 School Counseling Services Coordinator
Educational Services
Orange County Department of Education
Previous SCC Newsletters HERE
Email: larellano@ocde.us
Website: https://ocde.us/EducationalServices/LearningSupports/OCCounselingNetwork/Pages/Trainings-Workshops.aspx
Phone: 714-966-4476